Search - Shelly Manne :: Checkmate

Sublime modal Jazz from the Manne's gang

Jazzcat | Genoa, Italy Italy | 08/14/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Uh guys, let's buy immediatly this record because it is beyond words. It is simply phenomenal! I'm not Joking, I'm not exaggerating .. it is unbelievable sixties Jazz. Don't let the liner notes fool you! It is not a television themes thing, or a sort of soundtrack music or a "minor", less important record. It is spectacular pure modal Jazz from the sixties. The band is superb, Shelly with Conte Candoli, Kamuca, Russ Freeman and Chuck Berghofer. They deliver here some incredibly high quality jazz in the modal vein. If you love "Kind of blue" you will love this one. I own almost everything Shelly recorded with his guys (every record is a gem!!), but this one really stands out. It lives in a category of its own in the Shelly's discography. I couldn't believe it was THIS good. Everything is perfect here, try the second tune the haunting ballad "The isolated pawn", or the Impressions kind alike "The king swings" ... or the fast swinger "Checkmate", the opener. Really this one is a fantastic release. 1961 the year. Buuuuuuuuuuy!"

Adults only

Jazzcat | 04/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A classic cut of the Mancini "Peter Gunn" genre. Written for tv when the popular myth was viewers listened as well. Doug McClure and Sabastian Cabot couldn't deliver as well as the musicians. This quintet is solid throughout the tracks with Mann & Berghofer driving the rythms and one of the brothers Condoli on trumpet.
If you're of an age where good wine and classic jazz are some of the best moments of the evening, this album should be on the rack. Berghofers, wistfull intro to "Fireside Eyes" keeps the lister wanting a bit more of the "come closer" harmony that quickly emerges from the group. The tight blends throughout the album could have been plucked from any at the Mann Hole off Sepulvada Blvd. You have to listen to this music. No multi tasking."